US says reporter Glenn Greenwald tied to Snowden leaks will not be prosecuted

The journalist who helped publicise US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden's surveillance leaks will not be prosecuted by the justice department, says US attorney-general Eric Holder.

American Glenn Greenwald, who is based in Brazil, has written several news stories from documents he received from Snowden.

"Unless information that has not come to my attention is presented to me, what I have indicated in my testimony before Congress is that any journalist who's engaged in true journalistic activities is not going to be prosecuted by this justice department," Mr Holder told The Washington Post.

Mr Holder dismissed Greenwald's writings as advocacy journalism.

"I certainly don't agree with what Greenwald has done," he said.

"In some ways, he blurs the line between advocate and journalist.

"But on the basis of what I know now, I'm not sure there is a basis for prosecution of Greenwald."

Greenwald has welcomed the move but expressed caution.

He has previously said he fears detention and possible prosecution if he returns to the United States.

"That this question is even on people's minds is a rather grim reflection of the Obama administration's record on press freedoms," Greenwald told the Post.

"It is a positive step that the attorney-general expressly recognises that journalism is not and should not be a crime in the United States.

"But given this administration's poor record on press freedoms, I'll consult with my counsel on whether one can or should rely on such caveat-riddled oral assertions about the government's intentions."

Snowden, a former National Security Agency contractor, was charged with taking and leaking classified documents about surveillance programs.